owner present in vehicle to be arrested rather than
driver for certain traffic violations.
It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person, employing
or otherwise directing the driver of any vehicle to require or
knowingly to permit the operation of such vehicle upon a highway in
any manner contrary to law.

If the owner of a motor vehicle is present in the vehicle at
a time when another driver is operating the vehicle upon the
highways of this state: (1) With defective or improper equipment
in violation of the provisions of article fifteen of this chapter;
(2) in violation of the weight, height, length or width provisions
of article seventeen of this chapter; (3) with improper
registration in violation of the provisions of article three,
chapter seventeen-a of this code; or (4) with an expired vehicle
inspection decal or certificate in violation of the provisions of
article sixteen of this chapter, the owner rather than the driver
shall be arrested for any violation enumerated herein in lieu of an
arrest of the driver. If the owner of the vehicle is not present
therein, then the driver shall be arrested for any violation
enumerated in this section.

Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2014 1st Special Session
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